Coast Guard has workshop on Intl Maritime Conventions/Codes

It has been on the drawing board for over a year and today, the Belize National Coast Guard began a workshop on International Maritime Conventions and Codes. It is not a subject you hear of often, but the three day workshop will consist of a series of discussions on the different maritime conventions that Belize has ratified including Saving of Life at Sea and ISPS codes. According to Logistics Officer, Lieutenant Elton Bennett, the convention will sensitize agencies such as the Belize Port Authority, Ports of Belize Limited, Belize Customs Department, Belize Fisheries Department and the International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize on critical maritime issues.

Duane Moody
“What’s the purpose of the convention?”

Lt. Elton Bennett, Logistics Officer, Belize Nat’l Coast Guard
“The purpose of the convention is to familiarize Belizean agencies that are involved with maritime administration of the different conventions that we are signing on to and how to enforce these conventions. The conventions include the safety of life at sea convention, maritime pollution convention, the international ship and port security code and other conventions that we are signing on to.”

Duane Moody
“Okay Sir, in what way is this going to benefit Belize and these agencies that you are sensitizing?”

Lt. Elton Bennett
“Basically we are going to do a standardizing, informal workshop where we speak to other agencies and learn exactly what is expected from each of the agencies and bring it all together so that we can have a more uniformed enforcement.”

Bennett says it has teamed up with the Fisheries Department and the Belize Port Authority to look at ways they can eliminate loopholes relating to marine casualty investigations.